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Brody and Sierra: Serving in Oxapampa

Brody and Sierra are living and working in Oxapampa, a lovely city of 10,000 residents located in a verdant valley of the Andes, about 5,905 feet above sea level. Settled in 1891 by a group of colonists from Austria’s Tirolean Alps and Germany, the city in central Peru features a rich blend of European, indigenous and Peruvian cultures that is reflected in languages, architecture and food. The city has attracted migrants from the surrounding towns who have come for education and employment or simply want to live in a quiet and well-maintained community.

Brody and Sierra are serving in Oxapampa.

Sometimes called “Little Switzerland,” Oxapampa is located in the Pasco province in an area known as the selva alta (high jungle) and features a moderate climate; this time of year, the days are warm and the nights cool. Oxapampa also draws international visitors every June for Selvámonos, Peru’s biggest music and arts festival.

Downtown Oxapampa.

Brody and Sierra are living with related families who live next to each other in spacious wood-frame homes with pitched roofs that would not draw a second look in many U.S. neighborhoods, but are distinct from the usual flat-roofed brick and concrete homes in Lima. Sierra lives with her host mother, Teofila Espinoza Nieves and Teofila’s daughter, Jenny Navarro Espinoza. Brody’s host parents are Julio Hector Natienzo Quispe and Noemi Navarro Espinoza, another daughter of Teofila Espinoza Nieves. Brody also has three host siblings: Leslie, Ivan and Andres.

Brody and a friend at Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines preschool.

Brody is working at Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines (Jasmine) preschool and kindergarten. The school features a play-based curriculum, an innovative approach that is new to most of the children’s parents. Brody said he has been designated as the school’s “profesor de música, deportes e inglés (teacher of music, sports and English).” He has taught the children how to sing “Itsy, Bitsy Spider.” Brody assists teachers in three classrooms and pitches in as needed. He helps children with their homework, serves snacks and meals, plays with the children during breaks and even helps clean classrooms.

Sierra and a group of students at Los Tres Reyes primary school.

Sierra works at Los Tres Reyes (Three Kings), a primary school that features art and music in its instruction. Sierra is well suited to the assignment because of her love of art and desire to help young children. Sierra helps teachers in two classrooms and has taught English. Sometimes, however, Sierra’s main duties involve keeping easily distracted young children on task and at their desks. Besides her regular duties, Sierra has helped with special events and was asked to paint a mural at the school.

Two afternoons a week, Brody and Sierra volunteer at an after-school program supported by Compassion International. They assist a teacher with kindergarten-aged children. They help students complete their homework and play games with them and teach them music and English. Two evenings a week, Brody (a music major) also has been teaching music to children who attend his host family’s Catholic church.

Sierra helps a student.

Sierra said her assignment has been satisfying and that she has enjoyed working with children. When asked to describe the highlights and takeaways of service, Sierra wrote, “Unexpected surprises were the week that we had to take care of the kids at Compassion International pretty much by ourselves. The biggest takeaway would be to help however you are needed.”

Student lifts a student.

Brody also has found service to be fulfilling. “The highlights for service are many, but for me, I really am surprised how much I have grown in my Spanish. I still stumble often, but when talking I am able to communicate more effectively with others. In the kindergarten, I have made a point to memorize each student’s name. While I haven’t gotten them all down yet, another highlight for me is knowing each kid individually as a really unique person with their own quirks. It’s great. The biggest takeaway for me is thinking about how I have made an impact, no matter how small it actually is, in another country. I have taught kids songs and very basic English words that they may remember forever, and it makes me proud to say that I have had some role in that.”

Oxapampa is a city of about 10,000 residents located in the Andes, about 5,905 feet above sea level.The municipality building in Oxapampa.Downtown Oxapampa.The main plaza in Oxapampa.A memorial to the founders of Oxapampa.A downtown memorial acknowledges the contributions of indigenous cultures to the foundation of Oxapampa.A downtown memorial honors the Swiss and German colonists who founded Oxapampa.The design of the downtown Catholic church reflects European influences.Children walk by the main plaza in Oxapampa.Downtown Oxapampa.Another street in Oxapampa.A peace sculpture in Oxapampa. Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines, the preschool where Brody is working.The entrance to the preschool where Brody is working.The Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines preschool.Brody and a friend at Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines preschool.Children greet classroom visitors.A girl pauses while eating lunch.Brody prepares to eat lunch.A student seeks Brody’s attention.Brody with children at the preschool.A camera draws the attention of students.Not a smile but not a frown either.Children in the play area of the preschool.A young student asks Brody a question.Brody supervises children at play.Headed off to play.Two children seek Brody’s attention and affection.The preschool logo.A student enjoys a snack and a break.A pause in play time.Brody gives a student a lift.Student lifts a student.Another student and another chance for Brody to strengthen his muscles.Brody, the principal and students at Jardín de Ninos Los Jazmines preschool.Sierra works at Los Tres Reyes, a primary school.The sign at the school.A student asks for Sierra’s attention.Sierra and a group of students at Los Tres Reyes primary school. More students want to pose with Sierra.Sierra with staff from Los Tres Reyes.Sierra helps out in the classroom.Sierra helps lead a song.Sierra assists a student.A young girl waits for instruction from her teacher.A young boy in a contemplative moment. Sierra helps a student.Sierra helps a student.Sierra helps a student roll paper into balls, an exercise to help the kids develop better control over their fingers.Sierra retrieves a student who slipped out of the classroom.Sierra corrals a student who wandered away from his desk.Sierra supervises students.Sierra helps students sing another song.Sierra with her host mother, Teofila, and host sister, Jenny.Sierra in her bedroom.Sierra poses on a stairway.Sierra with her host family’s pets.Brody with his host parents, julio and Noemi, and host brothers, Ivan and Andres.Brody in his bedroom.Brody on the stairway of his home.Brody in his living room with his host brother, Andres.Sierra and Brody.Brody and Sierra during lunch.The Floralp dairy and cheese-making factory in Oxapampa.Sierra and Brody check out the products for sale at the Floralp dairy and cheese-making factory in Oxapampa.Brody and Sierra are serving in Oxapampa.Brody peeks out of a moto-taxi.Sierra and Brody about to enjoy a moto-taxi ride in Oxapampa.